MLL Preview 2012: Charlotte Hounds

For being an expansion franchise, the Charlotte Hounds have already seen their share of milestone moments.

On the day of the expansion draft, the team pulled off the biggest trade of the offseason, landing franchise cornerstones Stephen Berger and Matt Danowski in a deal with the Long Island Lizards. Charlotte coordinated a headline-grabbing “Name the Team” contest that engaged its fans, and the team landed its own local broadcast TV deal — a monumental step considering it is the only Major League Lacrosse team to have done so.

And just this month, the ESPNU Warrior Classic gave the team national television exposure and showed off Memorial Stadium to the world.

But no milestone is as big as the next one: Opening face-off at Memorial Stadium against the Denver Outlaws, 7 p.m. Saturday.

The groundwork has been laid for the team to be a playoff franchise in its first year — and cultivate a loyal local audience while doing so — but wins and losses don't occur in the offseason.

Coach Mike Cerino is keeping expectations in check, knowing that the six returning franchises got to protect their best players in the offseason.

“Our goal was to be completive in Year One, and I think we will be,” he said. “I'm very fortunate our front office has a big-picture approach to it.”

Attack

There is no doubt the attack is the strength of the Hounds right out of the game. The core of attackmen might be the best in the league.

Billy Bitter, Jeremy Boltus and Matt Danowski will lead the high-powered group. Boltus should not have conflicts with his Army commitments. Danowski will not be on the roster until his season in the National Lacrosse League is done.

“I think you'd have to say that (the attack is our strength),” Cerino said. “It's very exciting for me to work with the attackmen we have, and some really solid attackmen behind them.”

Craig Dowd, Ryan Hurley, Devan Spilker and Chris Unterstein provide the depth at attack and will be filling in during Danowski's absence.

Defense

Adam Ghitelman and Joe Marra are the goalies on the roster for the Hounds, and neither one has emerged as the No. 1 guy, but Cerino sees that as a positive.

Both goalies have contrasting styles and will give the team different looks.

“I've been pleasantly surprised with the goaltending talent,” Cerino said. “They have a real upside in their game.”

In their scrimmage against Long Island, both split time and were given opportunities to come out off the bench.

The success of the defense overall will be in the hands of Ryan Flanagan, who did not play in the league last year because of an injury. The star out of North Carolina is inexperienced in pro play, but they are expecting big things from him.

“We have a rising star in Ryan Flanagan back there,” Cerino said. “Ryan hasn't logged any time in the league, but I think he's going to be a real impact player.”

It will be a team defensive style for the Hounds. Joining Flanagan will be some experienced players in Steve Panarelli, Ricky Pages and Joe Cinosky. Kevin Randall, who is currently making waves as a star defenseman at Notre Dame, could provide relief when he graduates.

Midfield

“Whatever we lack in star power in the midfield, we certainly make up for in athleticism,” Cerino said.

Berger, Justin Smith and Jovan Miller are the big names at a midfield that will be relied on for quick strikes.

Andrew Hennessey will be taking the draws, and other middies include Brian Carroll, Ryan Cranston, Andrew Spack and Kyle Wimer.

The Hounds have shined in the offseason, making waves at every turn in the process — for example landing the team's core of talent before the second round of the Expansion Draft (Berger, Bitter, Brett Schmidt, Danowski, Boltus). Cerino's experience is at the college level, so the front office was relied upon heavily for the logistical part of putting together a team.

Now, it's the part that comes between the lines for Charlotte.

“There's only two expansion teams. Somebody has to look good and somebody has to finish second,” Cerino said. “I think what people have noticed is we've put together a very balanced team. I'm hoping character, experience and enthusiasm carry us through.”